A man from Wellington has been jailed for his part in disorder before, during and after a football match between Bristol City and Swansea City earlier this year.

David Darch, 32, faces 16 weeks behind bars after admitting a public order offence at the match on Saturday, February 2. He has also been given a six-year football banning order (FBO).

A Swansea man was jailed for eight weeks and three other men – from Llanelli, Swansea and Bristol – also admitted public order offences at a hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Three other men are set to be sentenced at a future date.

Judge Lynne Matthews told the court that people in the city are ‘sick and tired’ of football violence whether involving local teams’ followers or visitors.

She said: “I do not accept any criticism at all of the police in the park or their actions on the day. They were up against louts and hooligans and did the best job they could.”

DI David Lewis, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re working with Bristol City FC, Ashton Gate Stadium and Swansea City FC, as well as British Transport Police and South Wales Police colleagues, on this complex investigation.

“This behaviour has no place in football. We are all committed to working together to deal robustly with any football-related offences which have such a negative impact on Bristol.”